A strong finish from Braintree Town wasn't enough for the Iron to get anything from their trip to the north west as they went down to a 1-0 defeat at Tranmere Rovers.

Andy Cook's 54th minute strike won the Vanarama National League encounter for the third-placed hosts at Prenton Park as they resisted a second half push from Braintree, who were also hit by the loss of central defender Manny Parry to an ankle injury.

Parry's injury will do little to help Braintree's fight to get clear of relegation danger and manager Hakan Hayrettin felt his team were unfortunate to not get more from their trip after a battling display in the second half.

He admitted that his team rode their luck in a first-half when the hosts pressed them back and Cook hit the post, but it remained locked at 0-0 at the break.

Tranmere did make the breakthrough in the 54th minute, though, when Cook took advantage of hesitancy in the Iron defence to cut in from the left and drill an angled shot into the net.

It looked as though they would double their lead midway through the half when Braintree keeper Ben McNamara brought down James Norwood and referee Sam Allison pointed to the penalty spot.

However, McNamara soon atoned as he made a great stop from Jeff Hughes' initial spot-kick and then reacted to keep out Norwood's follow-up.

It proved a boost to the Iron and they went looking for an equaliser that almost came in the closing stages.

A thunderous effort by substitute Joe Maybanks was heading into the top corner until Tranmere captain Steve McNulty headed clear and a late shot from Michael Cheek found the side netting, but the visitors were ultimately frustrated. Hayrettin added: "Tranmere are a good team with good movement and we had to weather a storm for the first 20 to 25 minutes.

"We led a bit of charmed life but we then got in the game and I felt we were much better than them in the second half.

"We made a mistake; it wasn't good play by them, it was bad play by us again and they scored.

"Two guys have called for the ball and both ducked, they've got in the box and the rest is history.

"It is fine lines and small margins.

"Sometimes when you don't have it at your disposal to go and get who you want, you have to get players who are learning to do the job while they are doing the job.

"That's what we have here.

"Players are learning to do the job while they're doing the job.

"We have had some horrendous injuries at the centre-back position and we had another (Parry) come off at Tranmere.

"I think we've had six come off in my time at the club.

"We have never had a settled partnership there for more than five games but I'm proud of the boys and the way they acquitted themselves in the second half - and also the first half.

"We had a lucky first 25 minutes, but I thought we were better than them in the second half."